Who qualifies for the PWD ID?

Published November 16, 2017

Many of those who have disabilities have yet to claim their PWD ID and this article is for those who do not know if they qualify for the PWD ID and be able to claim the benefits and privileges that go with it.

According to Dr. Myla Rostrata of the Department of Health in Region 3, there are seven categories that classify the ID applicants These categories provide the basis for the granting of the IDs. These categories are:

Visual impairment – as far as we in PWDPhil know, there is no set grade that is considered to be the threshold that separates the disabled from the non-disabled. However, DOH specialists in the PDAO (persons with disabilities affairs office) in your town or city hall have a set protocol for determining who is visually impaired and who can qualify for a PWD ID based on visual acuity, or the lack of it. If the applicant’s eyes are discernible to be blind, then the applicant need not bring a clinical abstract to prove the disability, just bring your government-issued ID.

Hearing loss – anyone who cannot hear is considered to be disabled. However, there are various degrees of hearing impairment depending on the cause of the hearing loss. If you think that you are beginning to lose your hearing, it is best to try to have it treated right away. There are many occupations the depend on one’s ability to hear. If the applicant’s inability to hear is apparent, then there is no need to bring a clinical abstract to the PDAO when applying for the PWD ID.

Orthopedic disability – this category includes all those who have had amputations done to any of the extremities. This also includes those who have stunted growth because of dwarfism, a medical condition where the patient’s height and extremities did not grow to full mature size.

Learning disability – for students who cannot adjust to mainstream regular classes, they will need to go through the special education class program found in every public school. A learning disability is something that hampers or interferes with a student’s ability to learn basic concepts in math and science, knowledge that will help the student cope with everyday life. Without a basic education, the student will be unable to buy groceries, pay bills, earn a living or do any activity that requires critical thinking and stock knowledge.

Psychosocial disability – this is a category that includes those who have psychological and social problems that can leave them the sufferer unable to do what he/she normally does. These disabilities are not apparent and may not be easy to understand or to explain to health center workers who do not have a science background, thus the need for a clinical abstract to present to the PDAO, health center or DSWD regional office workers. Normally there are medical professionals who assess the application for PWD IDs, though some of them are not regularly available.

Chronic illness – There are illnesses that may not inherently lead to a disability but have been known to cause disability when a complication sets in. One such case is diabetes. Inherently diabetes does not cause disability. However, the inability to process sugar in your body may lead to complications such as diabetic retinopathy which could lead to blindness, sepsis which could lead to gangrene and later, amputation, or heart problems which could lead to a stroke. Again, some chronic illnesses are not apparent and will need a clinical abstract before a PWD ID is granted.

Mental disability – Sufferers of mental illness are automatically considered to be disabled and are sometimes automatically granted a PWD ID, as some mental illnesses can be apparent. Those with mental disabilities will usually need medical attention, constant supervision and assisted living arrangements as they are mostly unable to take care of themselves. Included in this category are children with Down syndrome, bi-polar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia. Sufferers of this category will need a medical/clinical abstract prior to the issuance of a PWD ID

Those who apply for PWD IDs must also remind their doctors or medical professionals that any information about the state or the nature of their disability must be handled with utmost confidentiality. A Pinoy with disability has the right not to divulge any medical or health-related information about themselves. As the non-disabled people have the right not be harassed for their medical informatio, PWDs should also be allowed to exercise the same right.

Yes. I am also a stroke survivor and have the same walking imbalance favoring the left side due to weakness and numbness. Our city health officer in Sn Pablo City gave me a medical certificate classifying it as an orthopedic disability and that qualified me for a PWD ID issued by DSWD San Pablo City office.

Same wd me, clear skin now then with exacerbations and psoriatic arthritis later.i got one for over a year now.we need everybody’s help.ask your derma for your mdcert plus other requiremnts needed then go to dswd for pwd id.

yes you can, you must get your EEG and submit result when you apply. My son has seizure disoder and go his pwd id, helps a lot when buying medications for his seizure. Talk to your pwd representative in your barangay.

May myasthenia gravis po ako and it has affected me so much. I cannot walk anymore because of very weak muscles and limbs, pati mga kamay mahihina. Kahit akay akay ako titiklop pa rin mga tuhod ko at tutumba ako pag di ako naagapan saluhin. Is this not considered a chronic disease and considered a disability? I am a government employee and I want to apply for disability retirement.

hi I was diagnosed with panic disorder and been suffering for 1 year up to today. Continuously having my psychotherapy and taking prescribed medications for 1 year also. Am I qualified for the PWD benefits?

HELLO few days ago my daughter went to our municipality office in Floridablanca, Pampanga to ask for a PWD ID but was denied. She is 14 years old diagnosed T1D when she was 9 years old. Naka avail na po ba kayo?

Good Day po, may i ask if my wife is considered as PWD.
My wife have undergone Pneumonectomy last 2012, she looks healthy when you look at her physically, she usually easily get exhausted in always catch up for her breath.

We already went to DSWD to apply her for PWD but they refused cause my wife is not physically disable.

Any information that may shed light to our query is highly appreciated.

i have a brother who has learning disabilities. i would like to apply him a valid id and one of this is the pwd id. how can apply for it? he has difficulties when he process any documents. at the same time to avail his benefits. kindly help him please.

I was about to ask the same question, except I’m here some longer since 2001, permanent VISA since 2005, and 5 kids with my Pinoy wife. I had no pre-existing medical issues, and developed my now chronic medical disability only 4 years ago – “community induced” according to the doctor’s hospital report. Are we eligible? I see it’s not under the same law as Seniors. I wish to abide by the law so need to know whether this is ok for us.

I’m a thyroid cancer patient, na total thyroidectomy ako and series of radioactive iodine. Unfortunately, thyroid disease isn’t included in PWD listing. However, I have tons of complications secondarily to my autoimmune disease (inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) which qualities me to have a PWD card. Anyway, to make things short you have to provide a medical certificate that indicates that you have complications after the total thyroidectomy.

I think pwede rin siya to have a PWD ID, gamitin mo sa letter mo ang RA9422 there’s additional incentives given to caregivers of PWD most especially if she or he is your donor, up to the 4rth consaguity or affinity

Hi. For chronic illness, does it have to manifest to a disability first before you can apply for an id? Tried getting 1 today but was advised that only those with disability due to a chronic illness will be given id cards. Is this correct?

I tried getting a PWD id today, but was denied. I have cancer but do not manifest any disability. They said that cancer should manifest me signs of Psychosocial, hearing, visual, mental, orthopedic, learning, and mental disability before they can grant me one. My question is why list cancer as chronic diseases as one of the eligibility to get an id but will still require me to manifest signs and symptoms before they can grant me one.

I tried to apply for PWD ID in mandaluyong city hall but was denied by the assessor. I was informed that having uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension are not qualified illness unless i developed a chronic kidney disease or had stroke. How true is this?

I think pwede dahil the real definition to qualify as PWD is that those that have long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensorial impairment which in interaction with various barriers may hinder those people with 3 aspects :impairment, disability and handicapped as PWD their full participation in society on an equal basis with others that have 60% normalcy. Meaning those that are said to have 40 or greater percentage of impairment, disability or handicapped in relation to ADLS are given PWD cards. Others are regarded psychosocial or mental disorders in which some are impairments only and considered temporary disabilities.

Is a person with thyroid problem such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism considered a disability? The eye muscle has been affected due to the thyroid problem (graves eye disease). Is this considered also as a disability? Thanks.

I had total thyroidectomy last month due to suspected malignant tumor. Thank God, the mass turned out to be benign. Currently, I am taking thyroid hormone and calcium supplement daily. Am I qualified for a PWD ID? Thanks

HI, may daughter was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma when she was just 6 months old and at 11 months she underwent hepatectomy (removal of right lobe liver). I just want to clarify why on her PWD-IDC Type of Disablity is Learning Disability?

To those who were asking about the diabetes type 1 or 2. It’s not qualified. I have this friend who have type 1 diabetes and she was rejected numerous times despite showing multiple clinical abstracts. It’s not considered as chronic illness daw. I hope I enlighten you all.

I don’t know but wouldn’t mind guidance. One might think so when it’s chronic to the extent that ongoing acute asthma attacks preclude even walking normally and I often can’t walk at all now without blacking out, gasping for lack of breath when I push trying to walk too much on a bad day.

Is having sensory impairment (sense of smell: anosmia/hyposmia/parosmia) part of PWD?
This had been after a vehicular accident 13 years ago and the loss was not apparent that time. But throughout the years it has been causing problems like distress (self-doubt, anxiety), and diminished enjoyment on normal things (aroma of food, scents), and enduring phantom bad smells.

Good day!
just a query lang po, if a person got a motor accident and have a clinical management like ankle fusion, does this person qualify to be a PWD? If yes, what are the necessary documents to be presented at the PDAO?
I got to ask this query because, I used to apply for this PWD ID but I’m hesitant ‘coz I didn’t know what are the justly grounds for it. I got a motor accident way back last year 2016, and I got a clinical management through operation (ankle fusion) on my left foot.
Hope you can help me about this matter. Thank you!

I have sever asthma, and is into maintenance. I had thyroid cancer but was operated already and undergone radiation and currently operated on cataract but still with poor vision. Am I entitled to a PWD ID?

I have severe asthma, and is into maintenance. I had thyroid cancer but was operated already and undergone radiation and currently operated on cataract but still with poor vision. Am I entitled to a PWD ID?

I have epilepsy and was diagnosed last 2001. I was recently informed that I can avail a PWD card, but my MRI records are still from year 2001 or so. It’s very expensive to have another test, can I still show my old records to define my disability?

Yes, persons below 18 years old or minors are qualified for PWD ID. Partial Blindness falls under the category of Visual Impairment for PWD. For application of PWD ID, just provide a written diagnosis/medical certificate from your opthalmologist.

Can I apply for PWD or Partial PWD? I had craniotomy last 2013 because I had a tumor at the back of my right eye. Yung cranial nerve ng right eye ko tinamaan and resulting to partially blind na. Malaki yung field of blindness. (More than half) Meron din ako visual exam regarding the visual range of the eye.

My 55 yo hubby has diabetes for 20 years now and is regularly injecting himself with insulin. I tried to get him a PWD card at QC hall but was rejected. Isnt diabetes considered a chronic illness? The PWD staff was brutally frank and said my hubby will be given a PWD card once he goes blind or his legs or arms get amputated.

my daughter diagnosed type 1diabetes mellitus since shes 3yrs old. were 7years now fighting for it! were insulin dependent! now shes 10years old. is T1D is not covered as pwd? they look normal but inside their not! everyday of t1D lives its not normal also, like pwd’s! is it really not considered as pwd?

my daughter diagnosed type 1diabetes mellitus since shes 3yrs old. were 7years now fighting for it! were insulin dependent! now shes 10years old. is T1D is not covered as pwd? they look normal but inside their not! everyday of t1D lives its not normal also, like pwd’s! is it really not considered as pwd?

I tried emailing
info@ pwdphil.com
It says, ”
The address “info@ pwdphil.com” in the “To” field was not recognised. Please make sure that all addresses are properly formed.”
I have a few personal questions and clarifications po kasi. Thanks po

[…] felt so sympathetic to the plight of people with disabilities. I don’t think the perks of a PWD ID (free movies, fare discounts, cheap food) could ever make up for the struggles they go through on a […]

I have an HSP (Henoch-Schonlein Purpura), an autoimmune disease quite similar to SLE (Systematic Lupus Erythematosus), which involves having rheumatism/arthritis even at a young age. My doctor said that I’m qualified for a PWD ID. Which category does my disability fall into? Chronic or Otrthopedic?

Hi. I’d like to ask if Chronic Glomerulonephritis is qualified for PWD application? My specialist clearly mentioned that it is not curable, but rather manageable with lifetime medication and kung mamalasin with complications, pwedeng maapektohan ang heart, etc. I’ve had this condition since I was a kid, as early as 3 years old.

P.S. we are having problems kasi in our city because of the community-based doctor na naka assign sa city health namin, parang lahat nang may non-visible disabilities ayaw na niyang bigyan or irenew.